Are you sitting at home wondering about what your new life in France will be like? Well, I’m here to share my own experience which will hopefully give you a little insight into what it’s like. I also share a few top tips on how to make the most of your life in France.
I moved to France around 13 years ago (pre-Brexit!), so while the process has changed a little in terms of documentation needed, not much else has. If it has long been a dream for you to make your home in France, then read on: perhaps some of my experience will serve as a handy reference once you decide to move.
A friendly woman enjoying her life in France
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Embrace flexibility
When I first moved to France, I ended up buying a tiny house in a very tiny village called Montjoi which turned out to have no nearby amenities. While on paper, that might not have sounded like a great idea, I embraced it and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. It was a tiny home, but truly adorable. Due to being flexible, I was able to make it my own, but for a fair few, getting there and seeing it in person and realising the lack of nearby amenities could be daunting. I found that the sheer beauty and tranquillity of this little village perched on a hilltop outweighed everything else.
Expat tip #1: Keep your options firmly open until you find something you love.
Once you’ve started to learn French, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll be able to have basic conversations.
Integrating
Probably the most important lesson I learnt when I arrived in France was to keep an open mind and to learn how the French live and quite simply fit in with it. Integrating with your neighbours, and going to your local shops, cafes and restaurants means doing as the French do: frequenting them, talking to as many people as you can and smiling a lot. These are all simple measures which will stand you in good stead for your future life as an expat in France.
Expat tip #2: Socialise with your new friends and neighbours in France.
Do you speak French?
Learn the language
Following on from integrating, learning at least some French before or as soon as you arrive is vital. Don’t worry about making mistakes; no one minds! It is pretty essential just to try one’s best. Not only does learning a language keep your brain happy, but it will undoubtedly help you when it comes to fully integrating. There’s something endearing about someone at least attempting to speak the language, whereas if you come in refusing to try, you might not be met with the politest response.
There are plenty of villages and towns in France offering French classes for expats. Plus, it’s a great way to learn the language and also make new friends.
Expat tip #3: Learn at least a bit of French before you go and practice as much as you can.
Shops in the main square of Domfront, Normandie. Image: eric laudonien via Shutterstock
Accept the differences
Naturally, there are differences, small and large, between life in France and the UK. One of my top tips is to go with the flow as soon as you arrive. There will doubtless be times when you think “I am not sure I like the way they do this in France”.
As an example, when I first moved to France, I resented not being able to shop between 12 and 2 pm, the sacred lunchtime! This is a little more flexible now of course, but even so, you will still find some shops close between these hours. You will also not be able to get hold of any official person or body on the phone. After a while though, you get used to this and discover that actually, it is quite nice to have a quiet time in the middle of the day to enjoy lunch and take a breather. It sure beats being tied to a strict 60-minute lunch policy in the city!
Expat tip #4: learn from the differences, don’t fight them!
Why not invite your new neighbours over for lunch to get advice and guidance?
Ask for recommendations
When you are the “new kid on the block”, it is difficult to know who to trust when it comes to employing tradespeople of any sort. It is essential to shop around, ask for recommendations and only go with people who have good references. The same probably applies to the UK. Sadly, some artisans in France try to take advantage of us Brits and quote way above what it should be. It is just important to be aware of this.
When you do find someone you trust, get a written and signed quotation with a timescale too. Without the latter, the job could go on for far longer than it needed to.
Expat tip #5: Ask your trusted friends or neighbours for recommendations for any trusted tradespeople.
If you’re letting out your home, make sure you alert your local Mairie
Make friends with your Maire
Local Maires (mayors) in France have a lot of power, a lot more than in the UK. Maires are normally very keen to welcome new people to their village or town. They will likely be used to British people and be pleased and honoured that you have chosen to live in their commune! Going to introduce yourself to your Maire when you first arrive will stand you in very good stead. You just never know when you may need their help, whether it is for a planning application, a complaint about a neighbour or just for gleaning knowledge about local events and the like.
Expat tip #6: Introduce yourself to your Maire as soon as you get there.
Take your time – living in France is something to enjoy
Don’t rush
Moving anywhere is a big life change; moving to a different country, is even more so. As well as finding your feet, getting to know your neighbours and mixing with the locals, it is important just to slow down a little. You are here to make a new life for yourself and, to coin a well hackneyed phrase, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. I learnt not to be too hard on myself at the start. No-one is standing over you telling you that you must go to a certain place or meet a certain group of people. In other words, take it easy at the beginning. You are living in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Take time to enjoy it all.
